Musandam attractions: Khasab, a port city on the Musandam Peninsula, is a must for your travel itinerary! Check out the capital’s Khasab Castle, built in the 17th century by the Portuguese, in order to protect the Strait of Hormuz. Today, the renovated castle features a museum showcasing weapons, clothes, gems and jewellery. In the collection, there is a traditional hand mill and a lock house too. Khasab has restaurants serving Lebanese, Omani, and Indian cuisines. Avid shoppers should not miss out on spending some quality time at the traditional souks, shopping for souvenirs!
Sail around the Beautiful Fjords of Musandam, As a coastal governorate, the locals of Musandam have built lots of traditional boats and dhows that they use for fishing, among other pursuits. More importantly, going for a boat ride with visitors and tourists is a must-do activity in Musandam. Going through the gulf waters, visitors can enjoy watching the unique fjords, while drinking Omani coffee (Kahwa) and dates, and chatting with locals. Visitors can also ask drivers to stop the boat so they can have a swim in the crystal turquoise waters of Musandam and enjoy the refreshing weather.
Two different kinds of dolphins pay a visit to the Musandam waters every now and then. These are the Humpback dolphins (Sousa Chinensis), and the Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). The best way to meet with these dolphins and get to know them is to take a boat ride. The dolphins are friendly and curious and will come and say hello to your boat. Here’s some great news for adrenalin junkies. If you’re thinking Musandam is just for beach lovers, think again. It’s one of the best-known destinations in Oman for paragliding and parasailing. When you’re up at that height, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the beaches, valleys, bays, mountains and more. Get your straps on and take off from the Zighy Mountain, from a height of 1,000-feet above the ground. Glide over the pristine bay and enjoy the incredible views all around.
The only sizeable settlement in Musandam, the compact but bustling town of Khasab, lies close to the northern tip of the peninsula at the head of a steep rocky wadi. The town itself divides into two parts: the New Souk, the bustling heart of modern Khasab, and, 2km (1 mile) north on the coast, the more ramshackle Old Souk. The latter is where you’ll find the town’s fine fort, built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and now with an interesting miniature museum on Musandam. Directly in front of the fort stretches Khasab’s extensive harbour, formerly the epicentre of the town’s roaring smuggling trade with Iran. See additional information on Dubai Musandam Trip.